Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-994-1

Japanese Haribako Sewing Box | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desk Organizer, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-994-1

A handcrafted Japanese antique sewing box with dramatically figured wood and a wealth of clever storage compartments

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, thimbles, and other needlework essentials. During the Early Showa period, these boxes were prized household objects -- often gifted to young women upon marriage -- and crafted with the same care lavished on fine furniture. This exceptional example is built from a richly grained hardwood, most likely kaki (persimmon) or a similarly figured Japanese species, whose swirling amber and dark-chocolate grain patterns give each drawer face a near-painterly quality. The sturdy frame and sides are finished in a contrasting straight-grained wood, providing a handsome visual border that highlights the figured panels. Cast metal bail pulls and a small knob pull, now beautifully aged to a dark patina, complete the handcrafted Japanese craft aesthetic.

Today this vintage Japanese sewing box translates effortlessly into modern living. On a bedroom dresser or vanity it makes an elegant jewelry box -- rings, earrings, and bracelets slip neatly into the several pull-out drawers, while the hinged lid compartment with its removable interior tray keeps longer necklaces tangle-free. On a home office desk it functions as a refined desk organizer, corralling pens, paper clips, and small accessories with Japandi style. The box also suits an entryway console as a stylish catch-all for keys and everyday essentials. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture, it carries nearly a century of quiet craftsmanship into any minimalist decor scheme.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood drawer fronts, possibly kaki (persimmon); straight-grained hardwood carcass; cast metal hardware
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; home office desk organizer; entryway key-and-accessory caddy
• Features: Hinged lid opening to a shallow top compartment with removable interior divider tray; multiple pull-out drawers in a stepped layout including a full-width lower drawer and smaller upper drawers; aged metal bail pulls and knob pull; decorative metal hinge fittings on lid top; clean unlined interiors throughout
• Dimensions: 6"W x 10 1/2"D x 7 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A stunning piece of Japanese antique craft -- nearly a century of wabi-sabi beauty housed in one compact, endlessly useful box.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.